The Friends of FBS
Trustees Report and Financial Statements
Year ended 31 August 2025
Charity number: 1174214
Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers
Trustees
Deirdre Gollogly - Co-Chair
Julia Grandbesancon– Secretary
Emma Koe - Treasurer
Registered Office
The Fulham Boys School Fulham Road London SW6 5BD
Bankers
Metro Bank One Southampton Row London WCB HA
Trustees’ Report
The Committee presented their annual report together with the independently examined accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The Trustees confirm the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the charity comply with current statutory requirements of the charity’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting for Charities” issued in March 2015.
Structure, Management and Governance
Constitution
The Charity is registered with the Charities Commission and is established by a constitution adopted on 8 March 2017. The Charity was registered with the Charities Commission on 10 August 2017.
All parents/guardians of pupils attending The Fulham Boys School are automatically members of the Friends of FBS, as well as any non-parent individuals or organisations appointed by the Trustees under Sections 8(2) and 8(3) of the Constitution. All the Trustees have children who are currently at The Fulham Boys School.
All Trustees are encouraged to keep up to date with the role and legal responsibility of a trustee. The Committee of Trustees administers the Charity and meets at least termly with further meetings as required.
The Charity’s finances are reviewed by the Trustees at each committee meeting.
The Trustees who were in office for the year ended 31 August 2025 are listed on page 1. Trustees are appointed at the Annual General Meeting held annually.
Management
All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits.
Governance
The charity must have at least 3 Trustees in place. Trustees are elected for a 1 year term and are elected at a special meeting for this purpose.
Objectives and activities
The objects of FFBS are the advancement of education of pupils at The Fulham Boys School, in particular by engaging in activities, providing or assisting in the provision of facilities, materials, equipment or additional learning opportunities not normally provided by the Department for Education or any other Governmental body.
Additionally, FFBS has the aim of fostering relations between the staff, parents and others associated with the school. The Trustees have paid due attention to the guidance published by the Charities Commission on ‘Charities and Public Benefit’ and believe that FFBS benefits the children of The Fulham Boys School, their families and indirectly the wider public.
Achievements and performance
This report covers the period 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025.
Fundraising & Social Events
Christmas Fair
The 2024 Christmas event was the most attended yet, featuring beautifully decorated surroundings and a festive atmosphere with music throughout the school. Boys received free raffle tickets, with additional tickets available for purchase, offering prizes like a Prime drink, a £50 Amazon voucher, and JD Sports vouchers. The hall games were popular, and food and drinks nearly sold out. The fair, combined with the Christmas wreath-making evening, raised £11,303.
International Food Market
A cultural evening brought parents together to prepare and share food reflecting their heritage, creating a fun and successful event where attendees experienced diverse tastes from over 20 countries. It was another calendar highlight with excellent attendance, raising just over £2,000.
Bars
Throughout the year, the Friends have run bars for various school, friends and foundation events, from drama showcases, induction days, Duke of Edinburgh presentations and other events. The main purpose of Friends bars are to support the school, and the Friends community building directive - some bars are free, but most are paid so this activity “washes its face” over the year.
Bingo Night
Bingo Night appeared on the calendar again this year, and it was another roaring success. Food and drink was provided, and parents, teachers and governors all joined for eyes down fun. We raised £1,155.
Second Hand Uniform and FBS Merchandise Sales
We have undertaken three second hand uniform sales, and increased student involvement has led us to be more successful. Duke of Edinburgh scheme volunteers have been very helpful in organising this crucial part of the Friends’ arm. All money raised has been set aside for the hardship fund, with the total raised being £6,013
Benefaction
During this academic year, Friends have transferred £10,000 to the school. Our fundraising events and activities this year have generated over £33,000 gross income, which after expenses means that we are carrying a credit of over £27,000 to 25/26, and will transfer £25,000 early in the Autumn term 25/26.
Other Fundraising / Income Gift Aid
FFBS is registered with HMRC for Gift Aid purposes, meaning we are able to reclaim the tax paid by the donors on all their eligible donations, where we are given permission to do so. In cash terms this means that we benefit from an additional 25% on eligible donations, and are able to claim it both retrospectively from 20 June 2013 as well as going forward.
We are also able to claim gift aid on sponsored events, so this really is a worthwhile initiative and we encourage all parents to sign a gift aid declaration.
Easy Fundraising
Registered with the Easy Fundraising online shopping portal, membership continued to grow sporadically, with a total of £1,256 this year of “free” money.
One-off Donations and Regular Giving
With the FBS Foundation (which has assumed the responsibility for parental regular giving, and large scale fundraising) the focus of the Friends is enhancing and building upon the FBS family community. Regular givers have largely been migrated to the Foundation.
Reserves policy
At the period end current assets amounted to £2,000. This was considered to be sufficient reserves by the charity as expenditure is only made on specific projects and only when funds are available. All reserves are held in cash deposits as the charity wishes to have the funds available to be released as soon as a project is accepted.
Future Plans
In the course of the next year, the charity will continue to support The Fulham Boys School by concentrating on fostering and strengthening the parent body community. It will do this by arranging a variety of inclusive events aimed across the diverse demographic of the school families.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above.
AGM SEPTEMBER 2025
Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees of The Friends of FBS
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025 which are set out on pages 9 to 13.
This report is made solely to the charity’s Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner’s Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
The charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for the period (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under charity law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to
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Examine the accounts (under section 145 of the Act):
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To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145 (5) (b) of the Act), and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the act;
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To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; have not been met; or
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To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed
Claire Wood, INDEPENDENT EXAMINER 1/9/2025